Originally Posted by rndspringer

Young- and please understand that while I may be singling you out in speaking to you, it isn't out of a sense of anger, or trying to be overly critical, merely from the perspective of trying to help you as a newer member of the board, to adjust and be more "at home " as well as productive in your communications. Again, I think most of us actually do think you have a great deal to contribute to this board, and actually want you to have constructive input and a good experience here. Quite frankly, if we didn't, I'd suspect you'd have been either kicked off, ignored, or considered a bit of a laughing stock by now.

Firstly,thank you for your apology about the foul language, and your restraint in not using it in your more recent posts. It is much appreciated!

Secondly, You mentioned in a recent post that when you're interacting with someone in a business type of environment, you don't "street speak", so obviously, you have some level of awareness of how that sort of thing may be inappropriate in different arenas of life. While this board offers a very friendly atmosphere, and I think most of us who are regulars (even those of us who disagree on political issues , Rouse *G*) do hold a great deal of respect for each other,and overall enjoy each other's company, the forum here is still an extension of a public place, and as such, we should conduct ourselves as we would in that sort of business environment.

To put it bluntly, whatever you choose to do in your private life is your choice.Your standards of speech and behavior while you are in the company of your friends are none of our business, and are between you, and you alone. If you feel the need to "relate" and "portray" yourself in that sort of image when you're in that company, then that is certainly your choice, and no matter how much I agree with others that you're associating yourself with a personality "label" that may end up harming you in the long run, that's your concern. As others have said, you seem like a fairly intelligent young man, I find it sad that you would willingly place yourself in a role that has such negative connotations as a whole, and will no doubt, eventually cause you a bit of grief in the business world, but if you feel it's proper for you, then I'm in no position to judge.

However, there are times in life, when you have to yield to the proper standards of the society you're interacting in, out of respect to those you are with.. and just as that's so in your business interaction, it should be so here in the forums.

This isn't a "hood hangout" , it's a forum to share information and discuss thoughts and opinions- we've just all been very blessed to have made some connections that have gone beyond the board.

Dee :)